Living area of the house wraps around the pool, making it an integral part of the space.
Example of a trendy courtyard pool design in Austin

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2015 Houzz Design: Mary Jo Fiorella
Example of a tuscan living room design in San Francisco

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Modern master spa bathroom renovation, custom designed to owner's desires and budget. Exceeded client's expectations. Functional yet luxurious and spa-like. Comfortable retreat for a hard working client. Designer met the needs of the client by creating a relaxing, uncluttered environment for many years of enjoyment..

Hamptons-inspired casual/chic restoration of a grand 100-year-old Glenview Craftsman. 4+beds/2baths with breathtaking master suite. High-end designer touches abound! Custom kitchen and baths. Garage, sweet backyard, steps to shopes, eateries, park, trail, Glenview Elementary, and direct carpool/bus to SF. Designed, staged and Listed by The Home Co. Asking $869,000. Visit www.1307ElCentro.com Photos by Marcell Puzsar - BrightRoomSF

Roger Wade Studio
Kids' bedroom - mid-sized and bedroom rustic guest and gender-neutral carpeted and gray floor kids' bedroom idea in Sacramento with beige walls

Inspiration for a modern u-shaped light wood floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, an island, black countertops and paneled appliances

Stephani Buchman Photography
Alcove shower - mid-sized transitional kids' blue tile and porcelain tile marble floor and white floor alcove shower idea in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

All of the food is stored on the far wall in pantry cabinets. Matching panel fronts camouflage the fridge, located on the right side of this storage wall.

This landscape of this transitional dwelling aims to compliment the architecture while providing an outdoor space for high end living and entertainment. The outdoor kitchen, hot tub, tiered gardens, living and dining areas as well as a formal lawn provide ample space for enjoyment year round. Photographs courtesy of The Richards Group.

The large windows in this vacation home living room designed by Colorado architect Dominique Gettliffe make for a comfy place to relax and unwind. The custom-built sofa faces toward an ultra-efficient wood-burning fire place. The living area is designed to be open and flexible, and is a great place for yoga, relaxing, or enjoying the warmth of the fire.

Bedroom - modern bedroom idea in Sacramento

Designing a whole home remodel for a client’s second home was an exciting opportunity to create a space that felt both welcoming and timeless. The clients wanted a space that felt light, bright, and timeless. We focused on an open-concept layout, maximizing natural light and incorporating soft, neutral tones that complemented the desert landscape. The main showstopper of the home was the kitchen, which the family considered the heart of the home. Featuring high-end finishes, the kitchen became a space for both cooking and gathering, designed for both functionality and elegance. Thoughtful touches, such as custom cabinetry, integrated appliances, and custom hood, helped elevate the entire space, making it a true focal point. With a thoughtful blend of modern design and classic touches, the remodel was tailored to ensure the space could grow with the family and become a place they would cherish and enjoy for years to come.

This small urban yard was transformed into a leisure sanctuary. A custom fence with mirrored panels adds a sense of space while blocking the view of the driveway. The pool, with underwater bench at the deep end, is finished in light gray Armourcoat with gray/blue tile and natural stone along the waterline. Three sheer descents along the back wall add glamour to the pool and spa. An equipment area in the garage allows for year round use of the spa. (14 x 20, custom rectangular)

Karen Bobotas
Design ideas for a huge traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Boston with a fire pit for summer.

Lush and lovely, here is a front-facing photograph taken at dusk of our cottage garden landscape, one year after it was installed.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Chicago.

This room was designed for a 14 year old boy - he has a twin sister. They both love the color blue and it was my challenge to add complementing colors that they would like! Lime green seemed to do the trick here and I found this amazing embroidered coverlet from Missoni Home that brought everything together. The back wall is a 3D textured surface which we painted soft grey. We found these fun figurines at Kid Robot in SoHo. Custom aluminum shelving and glossy anthracite lacquer drawer unit with electric blue LED light - game on!

Family room - transitional light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling family room idea in Los Angeles with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

The builder was www.tartan-builders.com and they did a phenomenal job executing what we wanted. We went for a "modern farmhouse" look with French touches. Hosting holidays this year was only successful due to my efficient BlueStar.